Reports, Forms, and Recordkeeping Requirements: Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review

James F. Simons
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
December 11, 2012

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 238 (Tuesday, December 11, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73736-73737]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-29844]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[U.S. DOT Docket No. NHTSA-2012-0169]


Reports, Forms, and Recordkeeping Requirements: Agency 
Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), DOT.

ACTION: Request for public comment on proposed collection of 
information.

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SUMMARY: Before a Federal agency can collect certain information from 
the public, it must receive approval from the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB). Under procedures established by the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, before seeking OMB approval, Federal agencies must solicit 
public comment on proposed collections of information, including 
extensions and reinstatements of previously approved collections. This 
document describes one collection of information for which NHTSA 
intends to seek OMB approval.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 11, 2013.

ADDRESSES:  Refer to the docket notice number cited at the beginning of 
this notice and send your comments by any of the following methods:
    Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    Fax: 202-493-2251.
    Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, 
West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE., 
Washington, DC 20590.
    Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Ave. SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jonathan Walker, contract task order 
manager, Office of Regulatory Analysis and Evaluation, National Highway 
Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE., NVS-432, 
Washington, DC 20590. Mr. Walker's phone number is 202-366-8571 and his 
email address is jonathan.walker@dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 
before an agency submits a proposed collection of information to OMB 
for approval, it must publish a document in the Federal Register 
providing a 60-day comment period and otherwise consult with members of 
the public and affected agencies concerning each proposed collection of 
information. The OMB has promulgated regulations describing what must 
be included in such a document. Under OMB's regulations (at 5 CFR 
1320.8(d)), an agency must ask for public comment on the following: (i) 
Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the 
proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether 
the information will have practical utility; (ii) The accuracy of the 
agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions 
used; (iii) How to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (iv) How to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on those who are to respond, including the 
use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other 
technological collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology, e.g., permitting electronic submissions of responses. In 
compliance with these requirements, NHTSA asks public comment on the 
following proposed collection of information:
    Title: Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems Special Studies.
    Type of Request: Renewal.
    OMB Clearance Number: 2127-0626.
    Form Number: This collection of information uses no standard forms.
    Required Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 2016.

Abstract

    The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is an 
agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation. NHTSA has issued 
Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for light vehicles 
since 1978 under the statutory authority of the Energy Policy and 
Conservation Act (EPCA). The Energy Independence and Security Act 
(EISA), enacted on December 19, 2007, amended EPCA and mandated that 
NHTSA, in consultation with EPA, set fuel economy standards for medium 
and heavy-duty (MD/HD) on-highway vehicles and work trucks to the 
maximum feasible level in each model year, providing four full model 
years of regulatory lead-time. 49 U.S.C. 32902 requires the agency to 
implement test methods, measurement metrics, fuel economy standards, 
and compliance and enforcement protocols that are

[[Page 73737]]

appropriate, cost-effective, and technologically feasible for the 
various vehicle classes.
    The first MD/HD fuel consumption standards, covering model year 
2014-2018 vehicles, built on many years of engine and vehicle 
technology development to achieve what the agency believes is the 
greatest degree of fuel consumption reduction consistent with 
principles of technological and economic feasibility. In addition to 
taking aggressive steps that are reasonably possible now, the agency is 
committed to continue learning about this complex sector to further 
reduce fuel consumption through future regulatory steps. This special 
study is aligned with this commitment, by improving NHTSA's 
understanding of three operational characteristics related to MD/HD 
trucks that impact the estimation of regulatory costs and benefits for 
the next phase of MD/HD fuel economy rulemaking covering model years 
2019 and beyond.
    The first topic for which this special study seeks to gather data 
is known as the ``fuel economy rebound effect.'' As the operating cost 
per mile driven decreases due to improved vehicle fuel economy, a 
``rebound effect'' may occur (i.e., demand for trucking operations may 
increase, resulting in increased vehicle miles traveled (VMT) across 
MD/HD fleets). The magnitude of this effect is a subject of 
uncertainty; therefore, a survey to gather data on the relationship 
between VMT and operating cost per mile will help to refine estimates 
of the rebound effect.
    This special study also seeks to gather data to profile the 
characteristics of MD/HD vehicle refueling trips, in effort to estimate 
the value of time saved at the pump due to improvements in fuel 
economy. With the 2017-2025 MY light-duty vehicle CAFE rule, NHTSA 
utilized survey data gathered at refueling stations to quantify this 
regulatory impact; however, no analogous data exist for MD/HD vehicles.
    NHTSA also seeks to estimate the value of time savings that may 
result from the implementation of active tire pressure monitoring 
systems in MD/HD vehicles, as these systems are among the fuel-economy-
improving technologies under evaluation for future standards. To 
properly estimate this value, data are needed on the frequency with 
which maintenance staff or vehicle operators check tire pressures and 
how many minutes a tire pressure check and adjustment takes.
    Description of the Likely Respondents (Including Estimated Number, 
and Proposed Frequency of Response to the Collection of Information): A 
list of MD/HD truck fleet operators will be developed and a sub-set of 
these operators will be contacted for initial pre-screening to 
determine survey eligibility. To be deemed eligible for inclusion, 
fleet operators must operate MD/HD fleets consisting of one or more 
vehicle classes ranging from class 2b through class 8. The sample will 
include sufficient diversity to gather data on all class 2b through 
class 8 MD/HD vehicles. Respondents will include management or other 
administrative staff with knowledge of macro-level fleet data and 
operational policies.
    100 or more responding sample units are sought. To achieve this 
target, it is estimated that the initial sample be comprised of 200 MD/
HD truck fleet operators, allowing for a response rate minimum of 50 
percent. The universe under study includes the entirety of MD/HD truck 
fleet operators.
    Separately, a list of between 20 and 30 refueling locations will be 
developed, identifying those areas at which to survey MD/HD truck 
drivers to gather additional data regarding refueling and tire pressure 
maintenance activities. Collection of up to 4,000 successful responses 
is desired, from a universe comprised of all Class 2b through Class 8 
truck drivers, and sufficient overall sample diversity must be present 
to gather data on all MD/HD classes. Allowing for a 50 percent response 
rate, up to 8,000 interview attempts may be required.
    There will be separate survey instruments for fleet operators and 
for vehicle drivers. These survey instruments will target fleet 
operators or vehicle drivers as appropriate with questions intended to 
gather data on the following topics:
    (1) Data to facilitate analysis of MD/HD truck fuel economy rebound 
effect.
    (2) Data to facilitate analysis of MD/HD truck refueling practices.
    (3) Data regarding the maintenance of cab and trailer tire 
pressures.
    The survey of vehicle drivers will utilize in-person interviews as 
the sole method of data collection. The survey of fleet operators will 
involve telephone interviews, web-based forms, and--if necessary to 
meet response rate objectives--hard copy forms.
    Estimate of the Total Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden 
Resulting From the Collection of Information: NHTSA estimates that the 
average length of time to complete the fleet operator survey will be 30 
minutes per respondent for a successful response (equivalent to a total 
of 100 hours in the event that the full sample responds), plus an 
additional 10 minutes each (or a total of approximately 33 hours) for 
the initial pre-screening to determine respondent eligibility. 
Consequently, the total fleet operator respondent burden is estimated 
to be 133 hours.
    The on-site interview-based portion of this survey, to be conducted 
of MD/HD truck drivers at refueling locations, is expected to require 
10 minutes of respondent time per successful response, plus 2 minutes 
per refusal. Assuming 4,000 successful collections and 4,000 refusals, 
this equates to 800 hours of respondent burden borne by MD/HD truck 
drivers.

    Authority: 44 U.S.C. Section 3506(c)(2)(A).

James F. Simons,
Director, Office of Regulatory Analysis and Evaluation.
[FR Doc. 2012-29844 Filed 12-10-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P